WhoreyBull Posted December 12, 2013 Posted December 12, 2013 To add, is not christmas againts athiest belief in itself? Christ is in the name. If you think christmas is in good fun, I cannot see how you could take issue to santa.
Author Silly_Girl Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 Well since Santa is based on a generous Catholic bishop I'd say you're right not to acknowledge him. But if you complain about adults forcing their beliefs on young children then aren't you being a hypocrite for denying your children St. Nick? Forcing their beliefs about judgemental, imaginary folk in a huge conspiracy maintained by adults who are trusted by the children, yes, that's an issue for me.
KathyM Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Forcing their beliefs about judgemental, imaginary folk in a huge conspiracy maintained by adults who are trusted by the children, yes, that's an issue for me. Well, you are free to teach your children about your beliefs, and the rest of us are free to teach ours about our own beliefs. Problem solved. And if you want to take all religious terms/beliefs out of Christmas, but still call it Christmas, then you are free to do so as well, just like the rest of us are free to include what we believe in that celebration. If your only issue is about Santa Claus, then I guess you are entitled to make up whatever story you choose about what that term means when you explain it to your kids. It means different things to different people. 1
amaysngrace Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Forcing their beliefs about judgemental, imaginary folk in a huge conspiracy maintained by adults who are trusted by the children, yes, that's an issue for me. That's too bad. Christmas was always a magical time in my home when my kids were small. How unfortunate. 2
Author Silly_Girl Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 That's too bad. Christmas was always a magical time in my home when my kids were small. How unfortunate. Not sure whether you had chance to read the thread, but no one was looking to cancel Christmas
whichwayisup Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Santa, like the easter bunny, tooth fairy are all fun things for kids, magical times, memories - family bonding and really once kids find out the truth it doesn't mess them up. If anything, it's the spirit of christmas that stays in them forever because of their childhood memories. I knew santa wasn't real (not sure how old I was but my sister told me he didn't exist) but went along with it because it was fun to still believe, even though once I knew he wasn't real, pretending was just great as not knowing. Kids aren't devastated once they figure it out or are told by an older sibling or friend. Don't take this away from your child. Or your husband, he obviously has fond memories and would like to re create them.
Author Silly_Girl Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 Santa, like the easter bunny, tooth fairy are all fun things for kids, magical times, memories - family bonding and really once kids find out the truth it doesn't mess them up. If anything, it's the spirit of christmas that stays in them forever because of their childhood memories. I knew santa wasn't real (not sure how old I was but my sister told me he didn't exist) but went along with it because it was fun to still believe, even though once I knew he wasn't real, pretending was just great as not knowing. Kids aren't devastated once they figure it out or are told by an older sibling or friend. Don't take this away from your child. Or your husband, he obviously has fond memories and would like to re create them. The more I ask around the more I hear loads of families didn't do Santa (but did Christmas) and they're fine with that. Of the 2 of us I feel more passionately about it, so it would go my way if it came to it, but we're working on a compromise. Bloody principles, eh? 1
whichwayisup Posted December 14, 2013 Posted December 14, 2013 Just keep an open mind. You have lots of time since your little one isn't born yet. Nothing is carved in stone now, though honestly, there's no harm in allowing a kid to believe in santa..or tooth fairy or easter bunny... I think it was woggle who said it, there's so much negative and bad stuff in this world, so having a little one believe in the spirit of Christmas isn't the worst thing. Principles or something more? Not saying you need to be right and get your way, though it's good that you're willing to compromise, as is he. 1
Author Silly_Girl Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 Principles or something more? Not saying you need to be right and get your way, though it's good that you're willing to compromise, as is he. What did you mean by the bolded WWIU?
Author Silly_Girl Posted December 14, 2013 Author Posted December 14, 2013 Santa Claus: Innocent Fantasy or Harmful Lie? | World of Psychology Interestingly this popped up in my Facebook feed ten minutes ago and the suggested approach of a make-believe character called Santa (and it ending there) is my personal preference.
Robert Z Posted December 15, 2013 Posted December 15, 2013 Santa Claus: Innocent Fantasy or Harmful Lie? | World of Psychology Interestingly this popped up in my Facebook feed ten minutes ago and the suggested approach of a make-believe character called Santa (and it ending there) is my personal preference. One thing strikes me about your article. I can still remember the look on his face of dismay, confusion, sadness, and incredible anger when he discovered that I — the person he felt he could trust the most in the world — had lied to him. I remember being sad but nothing like this. I understood that my parents were just playing a game until I got old enough to know the truth. It was even a sort of right of passage as I was then "in on" the big secret whereas my siblings were still in the dark. Maybe there is something to be said for a child understanding context, and keeping things in perspective, as well. If a child is damaged by learning the truth about Santa, then maybe there are other issues already in play.
whichwayisup Posted December 15, 2013 Posted December 15, 2013 What did you mean by the bolded WWIU? Meaning is there a deeper issue beyond this other than principle. Sorry I didn't mean for it sound intense!
Speakingofwhich Posted December 15, 2013 Posted December 15, 2013 One thing strikes me about your article. I remember being sad but nothing like this. I understood that my parents were just playing a game until I got old enough to know the truth. It was even a sort of right of passage as I was then "in on" the big secret whereas my siblings were still in the dark. Maybe there is something to be said for a child understanding context, and keeping things in perspective, as well. If a child is damaged by learning the truth about Santa, then maybe there are other issues already in play. The comments under the article are just as interesting and enlightening as the article itself.
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